Upset

It's still more than 24 hours until Oscar night and the crescendo of anticipation and excitement is building. Will Crash upset Brokeback Mountain? This morning there seems to be a shift in momentum reported by those who are manning the Red Carpet posts. One explosive report after another is being registered. I hope they all have been issued flak jackets... especially the back flap version. Which issue based film in this cinematic civil war will survive? Will it be racism? Will it be homosexuality?

All this points to the fact that the entertainment industry suffers an identity crisis. Evidently, entertainment value is not meaningful enough for the film industry. They must promote some issue it seems to feel they have any value.

I'd much rather have entertainment. Give me a movie that entertains - escapism - that's for me. I have enough issues and I understand my reality. Give me a break too, John!

Chief Drive-In Theatre

There is a lot of charm for me in living in my hometown. Usually I take it for granted, but on occasion I realize while driving to the local Post Office or through town that I often unconciously pass by several points that hold much meaning for me. It could be a particular tree or stretch of sidewalk that holds a specific memory or a jumble of memories of life in Quanah. But, one of those places that is quickly desintegrating into oblivion is the Chief Drive-in Theatre. It's remaining structures are located at the far west end of Quanah out past the compress and loop road towards Acme. I can see it out across my backyard and field anytime that I choose to look, but most of the time it takes some prompt for me to notice. I was reminded of it tonight when I came across a Website lamenting the passing of the old theatre. Even more surprising, I never thought of the old theatre while having lunch today with Doug Worley. His mother and father operated The Chief during my younger years.